Cigarette box with matches



Dec. 5, 1961 A. c. LUBASH 3,011,630

CIGARETTE BOX WITH MATCHES Filed Oct. 30, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.10

62 INVENTOR.

Arnold C. Lubash ZVQ 'MW ATTORNEY United States Patent r 3,011,630 CIGARETTE BOX WITH MATCHES Arnold C. Lubash, 10554 National Blvd., Los Angeles, Calif. Filed Oct. 30, 1958, Ser. No. 770,642 Claims. (Cl. 206-48) This invention relates to cigarette containers or packages of the relatively stiff cardboard box type and, more particularly, to such a cigarette box having novel constructional features and combined with a match pack in a novel manner.

Many cigarette smokers find it an annoyance to have their cigarettes and matches in separatepacks, and would prefer a unitary or combination package. However, pre vious attempts to meet this demand by combining a match pack with a cigarette package have resulted in units which are unduly bulky, complicated to operate, and subject to malfunction due to lack of inherent strength. In addition, previously known units have been unsightly in appearance, deficient from the safety standpoint, and lacking in sales appeal. i

In accordance with the present invention, a novel 'unit combining a match pack with a cigarette package of the relatively stiff material box type is provided in which the matches are readily exposed when the box top is opened but are protected by an overlying cover or flap when the box top is closed. The cover or flap for the matches 'is securely held in protective covering relation with the matchesby the closed top of the cigarette box. Nevertheless, should it be desired to use a match when the box is closed, the match protecting cover may be easily opened for access to the matches.

In addition, the unit of the invention has approximatelythe size of the usual cigarette package or box, either regular or king-size. The box top is reinforced and stiffened by re-ent'rant flaps which provide superposed layers of material for the major and critical portions of the box top. As a further feature, the front and side walls of the box are also formed of superposed layers of material. i

The invention may take either one of two general forms each subject to variations in constructional detail and match arrangements. Both embodiments are formed from die cut panels provided with appropriate fold lines and glued surfaces.

In one embodiment, the box top and its back, bottom and sidewalls, as'well as the match protecting cover, are formed as asingle cut-out or blank. A second blank includes an inner'front'wall lamina with inner side wall lamina. A third blank includes the outer front wall lamina' and intermediate side wall lamina. The outer front wall lamina has "a'pack of matches, such as forms the match unit per s of the usual match pack, cemented or otherwise secured to its outer surface.

The second and third blanks are cemented together, with the second blank extending above the upper edge of the third blank to form with the latter a ledge for engagement by the free edges of the box top. These joined blanks, when the side wall lamina are folded, form an insert closing the open front of the folded and cemented first or main blank.

The match cover extends from a fold line at the bottom wall, and is creased or folded to provide a narrow bottom strip, an intermediate outwardly offset match cover, and an upper lip engageable beneath the free front wall of the box top and seating" on such ledge. The match striking surface is applied to the outer surface of said bottom strip.

In the second embodiment, the box top and its back, side, bottom and outer front wall lamina are included in a single die cut main blank. The inner front wall and 3,011,630 Patented Dec. 5, 1961 side wall laminae are included in a second insert blank whose upper edge projects above the upper edge of the outer front wall in the same manner and for the same purpose as described.

The match unit is secured to the outer front wall, and the match cover, formed by a third panel, is creased and folded as described, with its bottom strip cemented to the Outer front wall and having the striking surface.

In both embodiments, the lip of the match cover may be folded under itself and cemented for reinforcement and easier manipulation, or a single thickness lip may be used. Also, the matches may be arranged in single, double or multiple rows as desired.

For an understanding of the invention principles, reference is made to the following description of typical embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the die cut and creased main blank of one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are plan views of the two blanks later joined to form the front wall insert of this embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of such insert;

FIGS. Sand 6 are perspective views illustrating the' unit in the open and closed condition, respectively;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are front and side elevation views, respectively, of the closed unit;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a unit according to the other embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of the match cover shown in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 1, most of the parts of a firstembodiment of the invention are formed by die cutting and creasing a unitary blank 11 of stiff material such as paperboard or cardboard. Blank 11 is divided by appropriate fold lines and die cuts into a back wall 12, outer side wall laminae 13, 13 having flaps 14, 14, bottom wall 15,

match cover 20 and a box top 30. l

A fold or crease line- 16 joins cover 20 to bottom'wall 15, and wall 15 is joined to back wall 12 by a fold or crease line 17 which also joins flaps 14 to side walls 13.

Side walls 13 are joinedto back wall 12 along fold or crease lines 18. Match protecting cover 20 has fold lines 21, 22, 23

and 24, 24. Fold lines 16 and 24 define the narrowbottom strip 25, with the space between fold lines 24, 24 providing the outward offset of the cover 20. Fold lines under lip 27 and cementing it thereto. It willbe noted v that the reinforced lip has sloping side edges and is in the form of a trapezoid.

Box top 30 is hinged to back wall 12 along a fold line 31 and includes back panel 32, top panel 33, front panel- 35, reinforcing flap 34, and small flaps 36, 37, 38 on each side of the main panels. Fold lines 18 joinback wall 12 to flaps 36 and front panel 35 to flaps 38, and fold lines extend transversely of the box top.

Blank 11 also has die cuts defining separations of its elements. Thus, die cuts 44 divide flaps 14 from bottom wall 15, die cuts 46 divide flaps 37 from panel 33, and die cuts 47 divide flaps 37 from flaps 38. Flaps 36 are divided from side walls 13 by die cuts 40 extending at an acute angle to fold lines 18, and the outer edges 45 of flaps 38 are parallel to die cuts 40 for a purpose to be described.

The inside front and side wall lamina 50, forming part of the front wall insert, is die cut from a blank 51 (FIG. 2) and has upper edges 52 extending horizontally and then sloping to a recess 53 in front wall panel 54 joined 57 of lamina 50 are parallel to upper edges 52 and exof laminae 50 may be formed in nested relation in a 7 single blank strip.

The outer front wall lamina 60, forming the outer layer of the insert, is die cut from a blank 61 (F G. 3) to form outer front wall lamina 62 joined to intermediate side wall laminae 63 by fold lines 64. The upper edges 66 of panels 63 are at the same angle to fold lines 64 as the angle of die cuts 40 to fold lines 18.

Lamina 60 is superposed on lamina 50 edges 52 beyond edges 66 an amount such that the overall height or length of the superposed-laminae is equal to the distance between the fold lines 17 and 41 of FIG. 1- The laminae 50 and 60 are cemented together to form the insert 65 of FIG. 4, and a match pack filler 70 is secured to the outer surface of panel 62. The side wall laminae are folded back at right angles to the front wall laminae. I

To form'the box, flap 34 is folded over onto panel 35 and cemented thereto. Flaps 36 are folded about lines 18, and fiaps 37 are folded about line 41. Panel 35 is then folded about line 42, and panel 36 is folded about line 41. This brings panel 33 in superposition to flaps 37, and panel 33 is cemented to these flaps. Flaps 47 are folded at right angles to panel 35 and, with this panel in spaced parallel relation to panel 32, flaps 38 are cemented to flaps 36 with which they mate.

Next, flaps 14 are folded at right angles to side wall panels or outer laminae 13, portions 13 are folded about lines 18 at right angles to back wall 12, and bottom wall is folded about line 17 and cemented to flaps 14. Flap 28 is folded into partially mating relation with cover panel 27 and cemented thereto.

Insert 65 is then set into the open box, and side wall laminae 63 are cemented to the inner surfaces of side wall outer laminae 13. Match cover 30 is folded about line 16 and a striking surface 75 is cemented or printed to the outer surface of bottom strip either before or after such folding. 7

Referring to FIGS. 5-8, in opening the unit, box top is bent back about fold line 31. When the unit is closed, top 30v telescopes over inner insert element 50 and front panel abuts the upper edge of panel 62 of ele-.

ment 60. Lip 27 of cover 20 fits under front panel 35.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10, the front wall 80 is cut from the main panel and cover 90 is a separate element. Otherwise, the construction is the same including an insert lamina 60' inside the front wall 80 and side walls 13. In this embodiment, the bottom strip 25 is cemented or printed to front wall 80' which has match assembly 70' thereon. Striking surface 75' is cemented or printed to strip 25. This unit operates in the same manner as that of FIGS. 1-8, the only difierence being that match cover 90 is not integral with the bottom wall 15'.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application 4 a of the invention principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination cigarette package and integral match pack unitcomprising, in combination,-a self-supporting cigarette box including a back wall, a bottom wall joined to said back wall, side walls joined to said back wall, and a box top including a toppanel, a front panel, and side flaps joined togethensaid box top being joined to said back wall along a fold line constituting a hinge connection; a front wall element including side panels joined thereto and laminated with said side walls; a

'blank of relatively stiff material cut and folded to form 7 an insert including a front wall panel laminated with said front wall element and side panels laminated with said first-mentioned side'panels, said front wall panel and second-mentioned side panels extending upwardly beyond said side walls and said front wall element to form ledges; at least one row of joined safety matches secured to the outer surface of said front wall element;

and a match protecting cover element extending upwardly from said bottom wall and overlying said matches, said cover element including a transverse strip adjacent said bottom wall having a match striking surface on its outer surface and a lip at its free edge including a reinforcing flap folded over and laminated thereto; said cover element being integral with said bottom wall and joined thereto along a fold line; said side flaps of said box top abutting the ledges-formed by said second-mentioned side panels and said side walls, and said lip being held'tightly and locked between said box top front panel and'said front wall panel when said box top is closed.

2. A unit as claimed in claim 1 in which said cover element is integral with said bottom wall, and said front wall element is cut from a blank of relatively stiff material and is laminated in superposition to said insert.

3. A unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the front panel of said box top includes a reinforcing flap folded under and laminated thereto.

4. A unit as claimed in claim 1 in which said cover element includes narrow sloping panels offsetting the body of said cover element from said front-wall element.

5. A unit as claimed in claim 1 in which the front wall panel of said insert has a central recess in its upper edge.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,143,627 Heretyk Iune 22, 1915 2,447,787 Atkinson Aug. 24, 1948 2,891,712 De Ford et al June 23, 1959 2,894,619 Gallo July 14, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 360,092 Great Britain Nov. 5, 1931 507,998 Great Britain June 22, 1939 

